EVERTONIANS old enough to remember when Goodison Park was a School of Science cherish Mikel Arteta.

In an age of power, pace and precision, he produces the qualities old school blues hold dear.

He can kill an awkwardly falling ball with one sure touch of either foot. He can shimmy and dazzle his way past markers with a blur of intricate footwork, and he can unpick agricultural defences with cultured, laser-precise passes.

So a curiosity of Everton's upwardly mobile season so far has been his lack of impact.

It is widely accepted that so far this campaign Everton have played better, more polished passing football than they have managed for years. But they have done so without the influence of their most naturally gifted ball-player. It's not that Arteta has performed badly, he just hasn't performed to the levels he showed for much of last season.

That changed on Saturday. Buoyed by the confidence generated from a rare headed goal, the Spaniard started to show us tricks from his extravagant repertoir.

Just a glimpse, mind. But enough to overcome a limited Sheffield United side.

And enough to leave the purists purring in admiration.

The Blades possessed all artisans, but Everton boasted the artist.

And after heading the first goal, his beautifully understated outside-of-the-boot pass through to Andy Johnson exposed the visitors fatally to win the match-ending penalty kick.

James Beattie buried it, Claude Davis was dismissed and the match was effectively over.

Predictably Neil Warnock chose to highlight that moment afterwards, rather than his team's wastefulness in front of goal in the 58 minutes which remained.

Contact from the centre-back christened Claude - an appropriate moniker for a flat-footed defender if ever there was one - was minimal.

But there was contact. If Davis hadn't felt the need to tug at Johnson's jersey, the striker couldn't have fallen down.

But it was still an unsatisfactory award.

What Warnock's protestations have ensured, however, is that Andy Johnson will see more clear cut appeals turned down away from home in future, as happened at Ewood Park earlier this season.

Fling enough mud and some always sticks - and Warnock was lashing tons of the stuff on Saturday night.

Johnson's importance to Everton was underlined when he dramatically collapsed again in the penalty area six minutes beforehalf-time and lay clutching his ankle. Goodison Park held its collective breath for several seconds until he limped gingerly to the touchline before continuing.

The Blues squad is small in numbers , and another left-backinjury, plus a virus running through his squad - Tim Cahill, James Beattie and most severely, Tim Howard, were all affected - meant a recall for David Weir.

He performed with his usual, undemonstrative poise - but he was out-shone by performers on either flank.

Phil Neville was outstanding at right-back. If Tony Hibbert is a more dogged defender than the England international, Neville offers much more going forward.

His 15th minute cross which picked out Arteta's unmarked dash into the penalty box was outstanding - not quite as good as the one which embarrassed Tottenham at White Hart Lane, but not far off.

And it wasn't a solitary moment. He produced a series of penetrating balls throughout a first half when Everton were just about in charge.

Tim Cahill directed one over the Gwladys Street crossbar, while another fell fractionally behind Johnson.

On the other flank Simon Davies produced a performance which suggested he may finally have found a role he can call his own - even if he was asked to finish the match as a right-back.

Everton have lacked a natural left-sided midfielder since they cashed in on Kevin Kilbane.

Davies is clearly more comfortable on the right, but a very good performance on the opposite flank showed he can adapt. And with no obvious challengers for thatrole - Arteta, Naysmith and Osman have all played out there since Kilbane was sold - he could make the position his own.

Always wanting to cut in, he still managed to trouble the Blades with some purposeful running and passing.

On the stroke of half-time it was his burst and pass which played Johnson clean through on goal.

The striker had far more time than he might have imagined and hurried a left-footed shot against the base of a post.

That was Everton's last threatening moment of the match until three minutes from time.

It wasn't the end of the goalmouth action, though.

Sheffield United showed spirit and enterprise to overcome their numerical deficiency, but found Tim Howard in the kind of superb form he has showed all season, while Hulse blazed two fine chances wide of the target.

With the match effectively won, Everton's second half display was drab and sub-standard.

Alone, plaintive cry rang out through the Main Stand midway through the half. "Moyes, this is crap!" he bellowed.

It was a little harsh, but it underlined the increased expectation levels now coursing through Royal Blue veins.

Standard 2-0 home wins over relegation threatened teams are not considered good enough.

Victories now have to be achieved with a swagger.

With Mikel Arteta starting to stir again that looks an increasingly likely prospect.

Man of the Match>

MIKEL ARTETAScored one, had a hand in the other and put on a performance that had the purists purring